Lord Shiva’s body is always covered with ash and Shiv devotees wear ash tilak on forehead and hands. There is an interesting story in the Shiva Purana which narrates how Lord Shiva came to be associated with Ash. There once lived a sage whose lineage was traced to the famous Saint Bhrigu. This sage performed intense austerities and became very powerful. He used to consume only fruits and later only green leaves and thus got the name – Parnada. 

Sage Parnada continued his intense tapas and controlled all the animals and plants in the forest he lived. Once while cutting some grass to repair his hermitage, the sage cut his middle finger. But to his surprise instead of blood he saw sap of tree oozing through the cut. 

Now Parnada thought that he had become so pious that instead of blood, sap is oozing through his body. Pride filled his mind and he started shouting in joy that he is the most pious man in the world now.

Lord Shiva who witnessed this event took the guise of an old man and reached the spot. When the old man asked for the reason for his uncontrollable delight, Parnada said that he has become the most pious man in the world as his blood as become quite similar to the sap of fruits and trees.

Then the old man asked what is there to be elated in this. It is just a sap. But when trees and plants are burned they turn into ash. Only ash remains that is surely the higher stage.

To demonstrate it the old man sliced his finger and suddenly ash came out of it. Sage Parnada soon realized that it was Shiva standing before him and prayed to him for forgiveness for his ignorance. 

It is said that ever since then Shiva wears ash to remind his devotees about the ultimate reality and foolishness of getting enamored in physical beauty.

Gomati Chakra is a rare natural product, a form of shell stone, and is found in Gomti River in Dwarka, Gujarat in India. It is believed to bring luck and is used in spiritual and Tantric rituals. Gomati Chakra resembles the Sudarshan Chakra or Discus of Lord Krishna. It is used as a Yantra and also is used in worships.

It is believed that those people who possess Gomti Chakra will be blessed with money, good health and prosperity. It is also believed to protect children.

Some people bury Gomti Chakra in the foundation of buildings as it is believed to bless the residents with long life and prosperity.

Some people hang it in front of the house, shops and buildings for peace and prosperity.

In some regions, eleven Gomti Chakras are wrapped in a red cloth and placed in rice or wheat containers. This is for food security.

In some region, Gomti Chakra is worshipped on the Diwali day along with Goddess Lakshmi.

Gomti Chakra is available in pure form and also embedded along with jewelry. Some people wear it like a pendant.